When words are vague confusion results. If I'm told to go to the store, it's highly probable that I'll go to the wrong one.

Here's a phrase that seems impossibly vague: "preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:2). What exactly is "the word"? Is it the Bible in general? Something to do with Jesus? A message handed down from one person to another?

I well remember the time several years ago when I was especially struggling with what should be the content of the messages I would preach. The phrase, "preach the word", was strongly impressed upon me; enough so that I printed these words on a banner that I prominently displayed over my study desk as a reminder.

Slow learner that I am, it has taken approximately fifteen years to come to terms with the meaning of "the word" that I am called to proclaim. I've learned that this "word" is used in John 1:1-2 and refers to the plan of God, of which Jesus is a part but not exclusively. Many people mistakenly believes that Jesus is synonymous with "word" in that passage.

I have also learned that this "word" is found in an important teaching of Jesus in Matthew 13:19 - "When anyone hears THE WORD of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in the heart".

I see that the "word of the kingdom" is closely connected with the plan of God, which involves Jesus, the Living Word. That helps me see why the focus of preaching and teaching in the Book of Acts was on "the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 8:12; 28:23,31).

The key lesson here is that we need to know what we're talking about. Just like the specifics of the store that I might be told to go to, I also need to know the specifics of this "word" that I'm called to proclaim.

Each of us are called to "preach (proclaim) the word" in some way. Doesn't it make sense to be sure that we are clear on that "word" before we go out to declare it? Take it from a slow learner of fifteen years, it does.

Steve

How we handle conflict is a big deal. The consequences are much greater than we probably realize.

"The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will." ( 2 Timothy 2:24-26 )

Conflict is inevitable. I've spent too much of my life denying this truth, to the detriment of both others and myself. My responses have ranged from the extremes of doing nothing to reacting harshly, none of which have been helpful or biblically-motivated. The proper response, which I see much more clearly now, is to be "patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition". Which all leads to Paul's very important explanation to Timothy as to WHY it is so important that we handle conflict well:

"if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will."

This explanation fits well with the great truth found in Proverbs 15:1 - "A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger". A gentle answer does more than diffuse anger; it rescues the one in conflict from the snares of the devil.

Those in opposition to us as we represent God's truth are in a precarious position. It is a watershed moment; they can either be rescued into truth or turned away to the devil's schemes, depending on how we handle the conflict. In opposing us they unwittingly fall into the devil's snare and are held captive by him to do his will. Our response is a key factor in freeing them or further enslaving them in the snare.

I wonder how much division exists in Christianity due to improper response to conflict? Probably all of it. Improper responses have consigned countless numbers of people to the snare and will of the devil.

There is more to conflict than meets the eye, as we have seen in Paul's words. Our response has eternal consequences.

While I have not always handled conflict well, there have been times when I have. I've discovered that these are valuable teachable moments. Conflict holds the potential for spiritual growth and renewal.

May God use conflict in our lives to claim and reclaim His lost sheep.

Steve